Followers

Sunday, May 6, 2012

[IYF2012]: Islamic Civilization (part III)

Just sit back and think: as the Aus and Khazraj, two dominant tribes of Yathrib had agreed to accept Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and his companions, marking a new society of Ansar and Muhajirin and forming a new government called “Madinah”, a big question mark should be asked: how can those Arabs who were famous for their fanatism of tribes, could accept a non-local or, in Malaysia’s case, a “non-Bumiputra” to lead their new nation to be?

The question gets even more interesting: did Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) ever arrived at Madinah prior to the Hijrah event? If not, then how come those locals could ever accept him as their new leader?

Further more, why Madinah?

Why Madinah?

First of all, let us understand the purpose and strategy of the whole Hijrah event in the first place. How did Madinah even come into picture? Well, history has shown us that in order for a religion to reign into civilization, dakwah activity alone is impropriate. The need of a certain “power” seems a must, to become a “back-up” or “supporting system” that shall empower and protect dakwah into the heart of a nation. The Prophet knew this, that’s why, if Islam is just about practicing your ibadah alone is considered enough, than the very first “hijrah”, which was the “hijrah” for protection to Habsyah should be considerd enough.

As Najasyi, ruler of Habsyah had opened his doors for Islam and its followers, the Prophet knew that Islam is way more than that: it is way more complete, covering every little aspect of human life. That’s why, a need for a nation is considered compulsory, hence, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) together with his companion Zaid, went to Thaif to offer not just dakwah, but also a daulah.

Unfortunately, the Habsyah society chased the Prophet away. It wasn’t until the Pilgrim Season when the Prophet succeded in convincing 12 Yathribian to accept his dakwah, and accept dakwah to build up and manage its daulah.

As the first Baiatul Aqabah took place, the new companions representing the people of Yathrib went back to Madinah, together with one of the Prophet’s (p.b.u.h) faithful and charismatic companion Mush’ab bin Umair, only to perform the everlasting task of dakwah, as they knew that without dakwah, there is no daulah.

An indeed, they were right. With a new group of 70 Yathribians including 2 women coming to perform pilgrimage the following year, the second Bai’ah took place, also at Aqabah. This time, they themselves had become the Madinah community, as they offered a place for Islam and its Prophet to lead, manage and look after too. Hence, with the strong caliber and charismatic of Mus’ab bin Umair, his political influence had made Muhammad (p.b.u.h) the best candidate to lead Madinah, even before the Prophet even had his footsteps on the land! Between the first Bai’ah and the Second one, you can see an increase up to nearly 700% of those who are willing to accept Islam and recommend them to lead Madinah. Amazing!

Therefore, Mus’ab bin Umair is a clear example on how the Mecca era had prepared the Prophet and his companions for the Medina era and after, as dakwah and tarbiyah has carved its mark on the canvas named daulah!

And there it was, a country just waiting for Islam to cast its “magic wand”, bringing them happiness and prosperity for years to come. With a daulah at hand, the systems, taking it’s inspiration from revelations above, came into scene, among others:-

Hijriyah Year

Major events/ systems enforced

2nd

Jihad, azan (call of prayer), fast, zakat

3rd

Marriage, condemnation on liquor and riba’

4th

Enforcement of the hijab, condemnation on liquor (second phase)

5th

Tayammum, adultery (zina), accusing people

6th

Details on Munakahat (marriage)

7th

Complete prohibition of liquor and riba’

8th

Jizyah, Pilgrimage

After 10 years of the Madinah era, the time of daulah had increase the number of Muslim reverts rapidly, to around 124000 people (based on the attendance during Haji Wida’ (farewell pilgrim). Clearly, the role of a daulah is non-other to strengthen the roots disseminated by dakwah, growing Islam into the civilization of the future.